Many modern doctors put categories such as migraine, psychosomatics, and psychological attitudes on a par. The unconscious psychological state of an individual is formed on the basis of previous experience and predisposition to different types of activity in a certain situation. Headache can develop due to reasons such as low self-esteem, emotional stiffness, increased self-criticism, fear of criticism from others.
The opinion of psychosomatists about migraine
Currently, there are several opinions about the psychosomatics of migraine. Many famous psychologists indicate various reasons leading to the development of migraine. It is worth keeping in mind that, unlike a regular headache, it is accompanied by symptoms such as:
- nausea;
- severe pain in the temporal region;
- dizziness;
- feeling of fog in the eyes;
- increased irritability;
- decreased ability to work.
Such symptoms can appear both before the onset of the attack itself, as well as simultaneously with it. It is known that women are most susceptible to this disease.
L. Hay
The famous American writer believes that the strength of a person is in his mind. If he can direct his thoughts in the right direction and change his attitude towards himself, his health will improve almost immediately. In her writings, she points out that migraines usually attack people who hate being forced to do something, but follow the lead of the coercer.
She also points out that strong painful sensations in the head indicate the presence of sexual fears in the patient, as well as his ardent resistance to the course of his own life. Louise Hay advises, first of all, to accept yourself as you are, and then begin to fight your own complexes. She is sure that without self-support the patient is not able to completely get rid of attacks, even with the help of excellent specialists in the field of psychology and psychiatry.
V.V. Sinelnikov
Valery Sinelnikov's opinion is somewhat different from the point of view of Louise Hay. He points out that people who make poor decisions are most likely to suffer from migraines. They have to devote a lot of effort, struggling with their consequences, and therefore it is extremely important to be able to rationally approach the choice of their own line of behavior. The specialist is confident that people suffering from low self-esteem, having various complexes, and oppressed by a sense of guilt are also susceptible to the disease. It seems possible to get rid of them by accepting your “I”, as well as long-term work with a psychologist.
L. Burbo
Liz Burbo is sure that migraines are caused by three groups of reasons. The first of them is physical. It is accompanied by hallucinations and severe nausea. The second is emotional, usually caused by a feeling of guilt that oppresses a person, the lack of opportunity to do what he really wants. The third is mental. It affects people who make excessive demands on themselves and others.
V. Zhikarentsev
Vladimir Zhikarentsev points out that headaches occur in women and men suffering from low self-esteem and strong self-criticism. He identifies the same reasons for the development of migraines as Louise Hay. It is worth fighting them using not only medications, but also resorting to the help of qualified specialists.
Definition of migraine headache
Psychosomatics is a set of psychological factors that influence the occurrence and course of a somatic disease. Migraine is a neurological disease that manifests itself as periodic attacks of headache lasting 2-72 hours. The clinical picture includes signs:
- Cephalgia in one side of the head.
- Moderate to high intensity of pain.
- Nausea, vomiting.
- Increased sensitivity to sound and light stimuli.
- Visual dysfunction.
Cephalgic syndrome intensifies with physical or mental fatigue. An aura is often a warning sign of an attack. Migraine is the second most common cephalalgia, second only to tension pain. Pathology is detected in 12-15% of the population. The onset of the disease is typical at a young age (up to 20 years). The peak incidence occurs between 25 and 34 years. Many factors are involved in the pathogenesis of migraine:
- Decreased serotonin levels.
- Vascular pathologies and related blood flow disorders.
- Cerebrovascular disorders.
- Violation of neurohumoral regulation and associated pathological dilatation of blood vessels.
Scientists call psychological disorders one of the factors in the development of pathology. Some emotions, such as fear, joy, anger, sadness, can influence the physiological processes occurring in the body. The listed emotions are associated with changes in heart rate, frequency and depth of breathing, and activity of the gastrointestinal tract.
Under the influence of the emotional background, the production of hormones changes, transformations occur in the muscular system (increased or decreased muscle tone) and the skin (hyperemia). The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the body's response to stress, strong feelings or extreme situations.
According to the American psychologist L. Hay, the psychosomatics of migraine consists of the influence of experienced negative emotions and a destructive way of thinking. The author explains the relationship between negative emotions and diseases by internal psychological attitudes that cause disruptions in the functioning of the autonomic nervous system.
Causes
Psychologists identify several main causes of migraine development. These include:
- instability of psycho-emotional state;
- the strongest emotional experiences.
Unable to cope with his inner “demons,” a person experiences them again and again, thinks about them, trying to find the only right solution. The accumulation of unnecessary information and lack of self-confidence provoke severe pain in the head area. Other causes of headaches include:
- a feeling of internal anger, its suppression, which leads to disruption of blood flow through the vessels of the brain;
- inability to forgive;
- strong self-criticism;
- overestimating demands on oneself and others;
- suspiciousness, increased anxiety;
- increased self-criticism, lack of feeling of satisfaction after achieving success in any field;
- depressive disorders, usually developing against the background of a melancholy, sad state.
All of these reasons lead to the development of severe pain in the head and other neurological disorders. There are often cases when attacks begin in too noisy, crowded places, after which the person tries to avoid them. This gradually makes him a recluse, which obviously will not speed up the recovery process.
Types of people susceptible to psychosomatic migraines
Migraines that are psychosomatic in nature most often occur in people who have characterological characteristics that determine their personality type. These include:
- increased ambition;
- high self-esteem, self-esteem;
- the desire to be first in everything, to act as a controller;
- secrecy;
- restraining one's own emotions;
- rancor;
- claims to one’s own personality and others, hidden deep inside;
- lack of sense of humor;
- lack of desire to change anything for the better, eternal dissatisfaction with everything that happens, with others.
Usually, in people who have the indicated characterological traits, there is a predominance of reason over emotions. Perhaps, by opening their inner world a little and letting go of the desire to control everything, they could quickly get rid of painful attacks.
Medical understanding
More often the pain occurs on one side of the head, less often the whole head hurts. In addition to headaches, this disease has other manifestations:
- nausea (urge to vomit);
- the level of vision decreases;
- appetite worsens;
- dizziness appears;
- irritability increases (especially to sound and light).
In the long term, if you do nothing, migraines can make life very difficult. In addition to periodic discomfort, it can lead to loss of ability to work. And migraine can actually turn into a stable deviation in physical condition.
Medicine recognizes that it is a neurological (persistent disorder) disease. The functioning of our brain is disrupted. They say the brain sends distorted (incorrect) signals. And why? Medicine does not reveal this.
How to treat?
Psychosomatic migraine is quite difficult to treat. Often a complex effect on the patient is necessary in order to quickly bring his health state closer to normal.
Medication
Therapeutic interventions for a patient suffering from migraines may include medications such as:
- herbal drops that have a calming effect;
- drugs that promote vasodilation;
- nootropic substances;
- anti-inflammatory drugs classified as non-steroidal;
- non-opioid analgesics;
- a calcium channel blocker (usually used between migraine attacks);
- drugs that have an antidepressant effect;
- valproate drugs;
- barbiturates.
Taking these groups of drugs on your own is strictly prohibited. All of them have certain indications and contraindications for use. For this reason, it is extremely important to seek help from a specialist if you have severe headaches.
Without taking medications
If even minor headaches occur, you should immediately determine whether they are psychosomatic in nature. The specialist must definitely find out what circumstances provoked the development of the attack, then he prescribes comprehensive treatment. One of the effective psychosomatic treatment methods is the use of essential oils. Among them, it is better to give preference to the following:
- lavender;
- tangerine;
- sea buckthorn;
- ylang-ylang;
- pine;
- cedar.
To get rid of pain that occurs over a long period of time, you should consult a massage therapist, as well as use aroma and music therapy. All this together can give amazing results in just a couple of sessions. Sometimes experts recommend taking courses of acupuncture or turning to acupuncture.
How to deal with migraines?
To overcome the fear of another attack, migraines must be treated. The doctor will prescribe effective treatment tactics, suggest paying attention to the psychology of the disease, and recommend eliminating irritating factors. Each patient probably has a list of reasons that cause migraine.
Additional consultation with an experienced psychologist is required to understand the psychosomatics of the disease.
- Accept the imperfections of this world, do not worry about the opinions of people around you.
- Sometimes lower your demands on yourself and allow yourself some rest. If you stop controlling everything, the world will not be lost without you.
- Don't give in to negative emotions. Admit to yourself that you are experiencing anger, hatred, envy, etc.
- Avoid stress and conflict.
- Do something you really enjoy.
- Surround yourself with positive people.
- Find out what causes your migraines. This way you can prevent the onset of attacks.
Migraine is a disease that prevents a person from leading a normal life. Headaches should not be taken lightly. Understand the psychosomatics of the disease and do not allow negative emotions, then no disease will be able to stand in your way.
Psychosomatics of childhood migraines
It is known that children of preschool and school age are also susceptible to severe headaches. Most often they arise against the background of strong experiences and stress. Children usually suffer from low self-esteem and lack attention from adults. A parent, noticing that a child often complains of headaches, is obliged to visit not only a pediatrician, but also a psychologist. Providing support, care, help with homework, spending time together is the best solution in the treatment of psychosomatic migraines in childhood.
Treatment of attacks
Therapy should only be prescribed by doctors. Taking strong migraine pills can cause nausea and vomiting, and large doses can be fatal.
| Ibuprofen | Universal anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic |
| Solpadeine | Strong painkiller |
| Nomigren | A drug intended only for the treatment of migraines |
| Zomig | Prescribed for the relief and prevention of attacks |
| Relpax | Prescribed for the relief and prevention of attacks |
Be sure to discuss the risks with your doctor before taking headache medications.
